When you clean your dishes in your sink or dishwasher, you wash fats and oils from food down your drain. If a lot of fats and oils are sent through your drain pipes – such as those at a restaurant – they must be separated from your wastewater before it reaches the sewer system.
Such wastewater contains many other components than water. A grease interceptor separates out these components before the wastewater flows into the sewer system. Proper maintenance of your plumbing system is the only way to avoid late-night or weekend emergencies. So it’s critical to properly empty and maintain your grease interceptor.
Its routine maintenance will avoid expensive repair and replacement costs, and avoid damage elsewhere in your plumbing system. Without it, grease builds up in your lines and the grease interceptor itself, leading to blockages and backups.
How an interceptor works
Fats and oils (grease) do not mix with water, so when wastewater flows through a grease interceptor, the grease rises to the top. The separated water then flows out of the bottom of the grease interceptor into the sewer line.
Captured fats and oils are held in the grease interceptor’s tank. This grease builds up over time and when the tank becomes full, it must be professionally cleaned. This is where Eyman Plumbing, Heating & Air can help you.
Why businesses have them
City governments often require businesses that prepare food have grease interceptors. Sewer collection systems and treatment plants are not designed to handle grease. Grease solidifies at room temperature, which means it can block in city sewer pipes and lead to sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) that become public health hazards.
Automotive repair shops and car washes drain large amounts of grease and other debris on a daily basis. Hospitals, senior centers and day cares prepare food that contains oils and animal fats that can be hazardous to city wastewater systems.
If your business has one
If you have a grease interceptor at your business, it is ultimately your responsibility to maintain, empty and repair it. This prolongs the effectiveness of an expensive and essential piece of equipment.
Regular maintenance also prevents emergency repairs, which also can be expensive and harmful. A lack of proper maintenance could be even costlier because you likely would have to close up shop until it’s replaced. This can cost you thousands of dollars in earnings.
Eyman’s special benefits
Eyman Plumbing, Heating & Repair has trucks specially designed to empty grease interceptor tanks. But we go further than that. While most companies simply empty the tanks, we also maintain the drain lines. Every Eyman truck is equipped with a jetter used to clean the lines of debris and grease.
This helps your plumbing system function better and saves you money by limiting future clogs. Our routine maintenance is not just an added benefit, it is necessary to keep your grease interceptor tank functioning and free of emergencies.
If you need your grease interceptor repaired or drained, contact Eyman Plumbing, Heating & Air at (402) 731-2727. We will be on our way.